Book-rest



(No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 1.

' A. P. MASSEY.

Book Rest. No. 236,685. Patent-ed Jan. 18, 1881.

Min asses: haven/tor:

(No Model A. P. MASSEY.

mtnesses Inventor:

N. PETERS; PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

z Sheets-Sheet 2.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT P. MASSEY, or CLEVELAND, OHIO.

BOOK- REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 236,685, dated January 18, 1881.

Application filed June 10, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, A. P. MASSEY, of Cleveland, in the county of (Juyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Book-Rests, of which the following is a speciiication.

The objectof my invention is to facilitate the handling of heavy books, to protect their bindings, and to enable maps or engravings which face the side of a book to be readily brought to the front.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bookrest on an independent stand. Figs. 2 and 3 are side and rear views of the book-rest designed to sit on a table. Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged views of the metal work detached, showing the spindle on which the book-rest revolves. Fig. 6 represents the book-rest revolved about theinclined axis 8. The dotted linesindicate that each page is in the most favorable position for examination.

The table A is placed at a convenient angle for examining large books, and revolves about an inclined axis, so that maps or engravings facing the side may be brought to front the observer. It is also constructed at such an angle that when revolved the leaf nearest the observer is nearly horizontal, while the leaf farthest from the observer is at a considerable angle, thus bringing both leaves of the book in the most favorable position for inspection. It is further constructed at this angle in order (No model.)

that books may not be opened quite flat, as heavy books are liable to have their stitching broken and leaves loosened when opened liat.

B is a metal casting, having arms r 1" for supporting the table A, and a spindle, 8, having two bearings, 12 b. This spindle revolves in the cap 0 for its upper bearing, the lower one extending some distance into the stand. The casting B has attached to it the latch D, which drops into the corresponding notches n in the cap 0, for the purpose of holding the table in the desired position. This latch D is actuated by the chain 0, which extends to near the front end of the table, in order that the hand may easily find it.

It will be apparent that in the use of this book-rest a book once placed on it need not be moved about in order to inspectpictures facing either side or the front, thus entirely obviating the wear of bindings incident to sliding books about 011 a table.

I claim as my invention A book-rest having two leaves inclined at an angle to each other and pivoted upon an axis inclined in regard to the book-rest, and projecting from the line of junction of said leaves, substantially as shown and described.

A. P. MASSEY.

Witnesses CHARLES BALFOUR, ELToN HOYT. 

